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How to find the most frequent text value in Excel and Google Sheets

Topic:RANK & statistical aggregates
Excel & Google Sheets
=INDEX(B2:B6,MATCH(MAX(COUNTIF(B2:B6,B2:B6)),COUNTIF(B2:B6,B2:B6),0))

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Step by step

  1. 1Enter your text values in column B (e.g., B2:B6).
  2. 2In another cell, enter the array formula. In Excel press Ctrl+Shift+Enter (or use dynamic array in Excel 365). In Sheets it evaluates automatically.
  3. 3COUNTIF counts each value against the whole list, MAX finds the highest count, and MATCH locates it so INDEX can return the text.
  4. 4The result is the text value that appears most often in your range.

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Frequently asked

What if there is a tie for most frequent?

The formula returns the first tied value it encounters. To list all tied modes, you would need a more advanced array approach.

Does this work for numbers too?

Yes, but for numbers you can simply use =MODE(B2:B6) which is far simpler.

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Reference

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Reference

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How-to

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Reference

PERCENTILE

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How-to

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Combine values and their weights with SUMPRODUCT divided by the total weight. Works the same in Excel and Google Sheets.

Formulas used

COUNTIFINDEXMATCH

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